FRISCO, Texas _ Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott on Wednesday said that he wants to move on now that officials in Ohio have announced that he will not be charged after a woman alleged abuse in July.
But while the rookie's focus is on Sunday's season opener against the New York Giants, that doesn't mean the past few weeks haven't left a lasting impression.
"I'm a target, that's what I've realized from all of this," Elliott said. "I've got to conduct myself that way so I can not have any distractions and I can just focus on ball."
The former Ohio State star said that he tried to block out the investigation by the Columbus city attorney's office as he prepared for his first NFL season. Officials investigated Tiffany Thompson's allegations for more than a month before saying Tuesday that they won't pursue charges because of conflicting, inconsistent information and insufficient evidence.
"I knew I didn't do anything wrong," he said. "I don't really want to get into it. I want to talk about football. I want to talk about why I'm here. ... We were very confident since Day 1. Wasn't really worried that much. Honestly I was just focused on ball, I let my lawyers and representatives handle the rest. "
Still, some of the documents released Tuesday by the investigators in Ohio raised eyebrows, including text messages that appeared to show concern over Elliott passing a drug test, including Elliott saying that he would spend time in a sauna before the test.
When asked directly about the exchange, Elliott said:
"Honestly, I have no idea what you are talking about. I haven't seen those."
When told he had texted about a sauna, Elliott said:
"I'm actually talking about football."
Elliott apologized to coach Jason Garrett recently after visiting a weed shop in Seattle before the team's preseason game against the Seahawks. Marijuana is legal in Washington but banned by the NFL.
Has damage been done to his reputation despite no charges being filed?
"I feel like some damage has been done," Elliott said. "But the past is the past, I'm just focused on now."
Elliott and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott will make their NFL regular-season debuts Sunday.
"I'm glad to put the distractions behind me and I'm excited to start this season," Elliott said. "I'm excited to open up against the Giants and I'm ready to leave all that behind me.
"I think we're prepared. I think that we're both very poised, we're both excited to compete. ... Just because we're rookies we don't want anyone to think there will be any drop-offs."
